Firearm Holding Device

ABSTRACT

A firearm holding device has a body with a first arm, a second arm spaced from the first arm, and a bend connecting the first and second arm. The first and second arms are adapted for engaging the firearm in clamping engagement when the firearm is received therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/763,578, filed Jan. 31, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to holding devices or holsters for holding and retaining firearms, and in particular to a firearm holding device for shotguns or other firearms commonly used in tactical operations.

It is known to use a sling-type weapon holder for holding a shotgun or rifle used in tactical operations such as those performed by military or law enforcement personnel. Such a sling-type weapon holder typically allows the weapon to hang vertically along the shooter's back or side when not in use. Other holster type devices have included nylon or mesh pouches that attach to a shooter's body and wrap around the firearm to hold the firearm close to the body of the shooter when the firearm is not in use. Such pouches further typically will have hook and loop type fasteners, snaps or other fasteners to close the pouch about the firearm, but which typically must be separated to release the firearm from the holder. Existing holders additionally tend to be cumbersome and ill-suited for tactical missions as these holders do not allow for a quick release of the firearm from the holder. As such, a need exists for a firearm holder suitable for tactical operations which allows for a quick-release of the firearm from the holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention is directed to a firearm holding device that enables the releasable attachment of a firearm to the device. The holding device generally comprises a body having a first arm and a second arm spaced from and extending generally parallel to the first arm, with a bend connecting the first and second arm, so as to define an open ended recess in which the firearm is received. The first and second arms are adapted to engage the firearm in clamping engagement when the firearm is received therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firearm holding device of one embodiment of the present invention mounted on a shooter with a firearm held in the device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device removed from the shooter and with the firearm removed.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device removed from the shooter and with the firearm held therein.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the firearm holding device of the present invention, generally indicated at 1, is particularly useful for holding a firearm, such as tactical shotgun S, in a fixed position adjacent the body B (FIG. 1) of a shooter. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 1 of the present invention is shown in one example as supporting a tactical weapon such as a 10″ tactical shotgun S, but it is understood that other types of firearms (e.g., rifles, handguns, etc.), also can be used and supported by the invention without departing from the scope of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 1 typically is affixed to a belt or other article of clothing (FIG. 1) worn by the shooter by a mounting pad 2 attached to the holding device. The holding device 1 is detachably engaged with the shotgun S at a position along the barrel BL between the receiver R and the forestock F of the shotgun. In the illustrated embodiment, the shotgun S is positioned such that the barrel BL of the shotgun is extended along the body of the shooter, generally perpendicular to the ground, with the stock/pistol grip of the firearm (not shown) oriented in an upright, vertically extended position to enable the stock/pistol grip to be quickly and easily grasped by the shooter as needed to remove the shotgun from the holding device 1. It also will be understood that the holding device 1 and shotgun S may be pivoted, turned or otherwise reoriented with respect to the body of the shooter while held within the holding device, without departing from the scope of this invention. The holding device 1 further can be made from various synthetic or composite flexible materials (e.g., thermoplastic material, graphite composite, fiberglass, etc.) that are designed to be corrosion resistant, durable, and flexible, or alternatively, could be made from other materials such as aluminum, steel, or other metals without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 1 comprises a clamping member or body, generally indicated at 3, having a closed forward end 7, an open top end 9, an open bottom end 11, and an open rear end 13. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamping member 3 has a pair of spaced apart arms 17, 19 arranged in a generally opposed, planar relationship. The arms are connected by a generally C-shaped bend 23 at the closed forward end 7 of the holding device 1. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the holding device 1 is shown a one-piece design with the device being sufficiently resilient so that the arms 17, 19 can flex to receive the shotgun S and provide a clamping force for holding the shotgun in an engaged, supported position (FIGS. 1 and 4). It will, however, be understood that the holding device can also be formed in two or more interlocking or mating sections with features, such as 97 and 99 locking the sections together and helping provide tension or a biasing force as described below.

Each of the arms 17, 19 extend from opposite sides of the bend 23 for cooperating engagement with the shotgun S. The arms 17, 19 have a respective top edges 25, 27, bottom edges 29, 31, and side edges 33, 35, which edges correspond with and define the open top end 9, open bottom end 11 and open rear end 13 of the holding device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, each arm 17, 19 further has an outwardly flared portion 39, 41 along respective top edges 25, 27 and an outwardly flared portion 45, 47 along their respective bottom edges 29, 31. The flared portions 39, 41, 45, 47 cooperate to receive and help guide the shotgun toward a retaining position wherein the shotgun is held between the arms 17, 19. The arms further have respective inner surfaces 55, 57 (FIG. 3) for engaging the shotgun S when the shotgun is placed in the space 51 between the arms, and typically are spaced apart a distance D1 (FIG. 9) so that the arms define a partially enclosed, substantially U or C-shaped receiving or holding recess or space 51 for receiving the shotgun S. As shown in FIG. 3, the arms 17, 19 each have a curved portion 61, 63 with a respective concave inner surface 65, 67 (FIG. 9) so as to substantially match the contour of the firearm barrel BL (FIG. 4) and to enable a tight, clamping engagement therewith, without marring, scratching or otherwise damaging the finish of the barrel. The concave inner surfaces 65, 67 of the arms 17, 19 cooperate to receive the barrel BL of the shotgun S so that holding device 1 contacts the outer surface of the firearm barrel BL at two circumferential contact surfaces along a portion of the length of the barrel.

In the illustrated embodiment, arm 17 also can have a series of mounting holes (not shown) each having a respective mounting boss 72, 74, 76 (FIG. 3), while arm 19 similarly can have mounting holes 77, 79, 81 each with a respective mounting boss 78, 80, 82, with the mounting holes 77, 79, 81 formed in the arm 19 generally are axially aligned with a respective mounting hole in the arm 17. As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting bracket 85 is attached to the holding device 1 by threaded fasteners (e.g., bolts, not shown) passing through the mounting holes in the arm 17. These holes can be used to mount the device 1 to a variety of materials and objects to facilitate shooter use whether carried by or secured to a belt or clothing of the shooter himself or mounted to an object such as a vehicle or aircraft. The mounting bracket 85 abuts the outer surface of the mounting bosses 72, 74, 76 so that the bracket generally is spaced from the arm 17. Alternatively, the mounting bracket 85 can be secured to the other arm 19 of the holding device 1 by threaded fasteners passing through the mounting holes 77, 79, 81 without departing from the scope of this invention.

In one example embodiment, the mounting bracket 85 can attach the holding device 1 to the mounting pad 2 used to secure the holding device to the belt (FIG. 1) or other garment worn by the shooter. The mounting bracket 85 shown in the illustrated embodiment can include a retention or mounting bracket such as is commercially available from Blade-Tech Industries of Lakewood, Wash. It also will be understood that the mounting bracket 85 can be used to mount the holding device 1 to other articles or garments worn by the shooter (e.g., body armor, uniform, etc.) without departing from the scope of this invention. Further, devices other than the mounting bracket 85 may be attached to holding device 1 for purposes of mounting the holding device to a support platform or the mounting bracket may be omitted and the holding device may be directly attached to a garment or article worn by the shooter without departing from the scope of this invention.

The C-shaped bend 23 of the holding device 1 connects the two arms 17, 19 and allows the arms to resiliently flex relative to one another to provide a clamping force of the holding device when the shotgun is placed between the arms. In the illustrated embodiment, the bend 23 generally is about a 180-degree or similar angle bend having generally opposed side walls 91, 93 connected to the respective curved portions 61, 63 of each arm 17, 19. The holding device 1 also generally has two adjustment screws 97, 99 or other, similar fasteners received in one of the side walls 93 for adjusting the clamping force of the holding device. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the adjustment screws 97, 99 are received in respective sleeves 103, 105 positioned between the inner surface of the opposed side walls 91, 93 of the bend 23, and typically are threadably connected to a nut (not shown) housed in the side wall 91 of the bend 23. As a result, when the fasteners are turned, the distance between the side walls 91, 93 and the distance D1 between the arms 17, 19 is adjusted. As the fasteners 97, 99 are tightened, the sidewalls 91, 93 of the bend 23 generally are brought closer together, thus decreasing the distance D1 between the arms 17, 19 and increasing the clamping force of the holding device 1. When the fasteners 97, 99 are loosened, the sidewalls 91, 93 of the bend 23 generally are moved farther apart, thus increasing the distance D1 between the arms 17, 19 and decreasing the clamping force of the holding device 1. In one embodiment, the distance D1 is approximately 1.5 inches with each of the arms being sufficiently resilient to flex outwardly so that distance between the arms can be extended by upwards of approximately 3.5 inches or more. It is understood that the distance D1 may be more or less than the dimensions stated herein without departing from the scope of this invention.

In use, the holding device 1 may be attached to the shooter prior to loading the shotgun S between the arms 17, 19 by attaching the mounting bracket 85 to pad 2 or other support platform that is attached to the shooter. In one embodiment, the shotgun S is held in the holding device 1 by positioning the shotgun adjacent the space 51 between the arms 17, 19 such that the arms are aligned for receiving the section of the barrel BL between the receiver R and the forestock F of the shotgun. Next, the shotgun S is moved toward the closed end 7 of the holding device 1 such that the arms 17, 19 engage the shotgun. As the shotgun S is advanced toward the closed front end 7 of the holding device 1, the arms 17, 19 will resiliently flex outward allowing sufficient clearance for the shotgun to advance forward in the holding device until the magazine tube and barrel BL are received in the corresponding curved portions 61, 63 of the arms 17, 19. When the magazine tube and barrel BL of the shotgun S are received in the curved portions 61, 63 the arms will resiliently flex inward and/or snap back into place to engage and secure the shotgun S in the holding device 1. At the secured position, the arms 17, 19 cooperate to provide a clamping force acting on opposed circumferential contact surfaces along a length of the shotgun S to substantially restrain the shotgun in the holding device 1. Adjustments to the clamping force of the holding device 1 may be made by tightening the threaded fasteners 97, 99 to increase the clamping force or by loosening the threaded fasteners to decrease the clamping force of the holding device.

Once mounted within the holding device 1, the shotgun S may be quickly and easily removed from the holding device by applying a pulling force to the shotgun S sufficient to overcome the clamping force applied by the arms 17, 19 and thereby disengage the shotgun from the arms. The withdrawal of the shotgun S from the holding device 1 does not require the removal of any attachments or the release of any flaps, fasteners, or other attachment means. Rather, the holding device 1 of the present invention allows quick release of the shotgun by simply grasping the shotgun S and pulling it in the lateral direction (indicated by arrow A1 of FIG. 4) generally away from the closed end 7 of the holding device to overcome the clamping force of the arms 17, 19. When the shotgun S is withdrawn from the holding device 1, the arms 17, 19 resiliently flex outward a small amount to allow a corresponding increase in the distance D1 to allow sufficient clearance for the barrel BL of the shotgun to be removed from the space 51 between the arms. As a result, the holding device 1 of the present invention provides a simple and easy to use system for releasably securing a shotgun S or other firearm to the shooter in a secure position to enable the shotgun to be carried and quickly and easily accessed during a tactical mission.

It will be understood that while the holding device of the present invention has been illustrated in use for holding a firearm such as a tactical shotgun S such as is typically used in military or law enforcement tactical operations, the holding device 1 of the present invention also could be used with other firearms (e.g., non-tactical shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc.) in other applications (e.g., hunting, target shooting, etc.) without departing from the scope of this invention. The holding device 1 of the present invention holds the firearm in a secure position that is easily accessible by a shooter during a tactical mission, and allows quick release of the firearm from its secured position without the removal of straps or other fasteners needed to restrain the firearm in the holding device. The holding device 1 of the present invention also can be easily adapted to attach to various support platforms for positioning by a shooter at the shooter's preferred location during a tactical mission.

It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that while the foregoing has been disclosed above with respect to preferred embodiments or features, various additions, changes, and modifications can be made to the foregoing invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes various embodiments and features of the present invention. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the above-described embodiments that are within the scope of the claims. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments and features of the invention, but the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A firearm holding device for releasable attachment of a firearm, the device comprising a body having a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm, and a bend connecting the first and second arm, the first and second arms being adapted to resiliently engage the firearm in clamping engagement when the firearm is received therebetween.
 2. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms are in a generally parallel, planar relationship.
 3. The firearm holding device of claim 2 wherein the body includes a firearm receiving space between the first and second arms.
 4. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the first and the second arms are capable of flexing relative to the bend to receive the firearm and provide a clamping force the firearm.
 5. The firearm holding device of claim 4 wherein the bend has opposed side walls and the first and second arms have curved portions respectively connected to the side walls.
 6. The firearm holding device of claim 5 and further comprising at least one adjustment screw extending between the opposed side walls of the bend for adjusting the distance between the first and second arms.
 7. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the first and second arms each comprise top outwardly flared portions and bottom outwardly flared portions.
 8. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the body is generally U-shaped and defines a firearm receiving space between the first and second arms for receiving the firearm.
 9. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arms has a series of mounting holes for attachment of the body to a mounting bracket.
 10. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the first arm includes a first contact surface and the second arm includes a second contact surface, the first and second contact surfaces being adapted to conform to an external surface of the firearm and to apply a holding force to at least a portion of the firearm.
 11. The firearm holding device of claim 10 wherein the first and second contact surfaces are curved.
 12. The firearm holding device of claim 1 wherein the body has a closed forward end, an open top end, an open bottom end, and an open rear end for receiving the firearm between the first and second arms.
 13. The firearm holding device of claim 1 in combination with a firearm, the firearm comprising a shotgun.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the shotgun is held in an upright position generally perpendicular to the ground.
 15. The firearm holding device of claim 1 further comprising a mounting bracket attached to the body.
 16. A method of releasably securing a firearm to clothing of a shooter comprising: providing a firearm holding device having a first arm, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm and a bend connecting the first and second arm; inserting the firearm into a firearm receiving space between the first arm and the second arm by moving the first arm and the second arm outward to enlarge the firearm receiving space; urging the firearm into the firearm receiving space until the first and second arms move inward toward each other to effect secure engagement with the firearm.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first and second arms resiliently flex outward relative to the bend when the firearm is inserted.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second arms resiliently flex inward relative to the bend when the firearm is secured.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first and second arms comprise respective contact surfaces and securing the firearm comprises placing a curved external surface of the firearm in contact with the contact surfaces.
 20. The method of claim 16 further comprising attaching the holding device to a shooter.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the holding device is attached to a shooter prior to insertion of the firearm.
 22. The method of claim 16 further comprising removing the firearm from the holding device by withdrawing the firearm from the firearm receiving space.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first and second arms resiliently flex outward during withdrawal of the firearm.
 24. A firearm holding device for releasable attachment of a firearm, the device comprising a generally U-shaped body having a first arm having a first contact surface, a second arm spaced apart from the first arm and having a second contact surface, the first and second arms being flexibly connected in a generally parallel planar relationship so as to at least partially define a firearm receiving space therebetween, wherein the first and second contact surfaces being adapted to conform to an external surface of the firearm and the first and second arms are biased toward each other so as to apply a holding force to at least a portion of the firearm when the firearm is received therebetween.
 25. The firearm holding device of claim 24 wherein the bend comprises opposed side walls and the device includes at least one adjustment screw extending between the opposed side walls for adjusting a distance between the first and second arms.
 26. The firearm holding device of claim 24 in combination with a firearm, the firearm comprising a shotgun.
 27. The combination of claim 26 wherein the shotgun is held in an upright position generally perpendicular to the ground. 